Investigations
The Investigations Unit is made up of fourteen
detectives, two support personnel, one
sergeant and one lieutenant. This unit is
responsible for investigating those criminal
cases that go above and beyond the scope and
resources of a patrol deputy. This includes any
misdemeanor or felony property, elder abuse,
financial, child abuse, sexual assault and violent
crimes that may require a large amount of
resources for an extended period of time. These
cases may require investigators with
specialized training, knowledge or equipment
in order to be solved. Detectives are intended to
perform thorough and in-depth investigations
of the cases assigned to them without the
interruptions of handling calls for service like a
patrol deputy does.
In addition to criminal investigations, detectives
are also involved in managing the sex, arson,
narcotic and gang registrants, participate in a
collaborative cold case task force and provide
follow up on all reports of missing persons and
other cases as required by law or as assigned.
In accordance with the Sheriff’s vision of “Total
Care,” one of Investigation Unit's highest
priorities is to uncover all evidence in order to
bring closure to the victims of any case.
Detectives work collaboratively, regardless of
their assigned caseload, to solve complex
cases. They also work cooperatively with allied
agencies within and outside of the county and
any other governmental and community based
organizations.
During 2018, the El Dorado County Cold Case
Task Force, a collaboration of El Dorado County
Sheriff Detectives, South Lake Tahoe Police
Detectives and El Dorado County Deputy
District Attorney Investigators reviewed several
cases. With DNA and technology advances,
several cases were sent to Parabon Nanolabs
Inc. for further DNA/Open source analysis.
These cases were submitted for further DNA
phenotyping and the possibility of determining
genetic genealogy. Phenotyping helps predict
physical appearance and ancestry of an
unknown person from their DNA. Genetic
Genealogy helps identify a subject by matching
their DNA to one or more family members. From
this technology, several new leads have been
developed. These homicide investigations are
ongoing to try to help identify suspects and
provide closure to the victim's family.
In May of 2018, the Cold Case Task Force
exhumed three skulls that were previously
classified as unidentified remains. One of the
skulls was identified related to a 1980 homicide
case where the body was never located. The
suspect in this case was already tried and
convicted of the homicide. DNA testing was
conducted of the skull and determined to
belong to the victim in this case. The remains
were identified and returned to family to receive
a proper burial for their loved one.
The El Dorado County Cold Case Task Force
with the assistance of the California State
University, Chico Anthropology Program,
performed an exhumation of a female subject.
The female was buried at a cemetery in 1979 as
a Jane Doe homicide victim. After the Cold Case
Task Force conducted an investigation, they
were able to learn through DNA the identity of
Jane Doe and learned she was from the East
Coast. Family was located and after being
recovered, she was returned to her family to be
buried with other deceased family members at
their request.
-40%
+54%
+45%
+3%
0%
+1%
-50%
Homicide
Rape*
Robbery*
Assaults
Larceny
Burglary
Auto Thefts
7 Major Crimes
Operations
21
*The Sheriff's Office is watching these trends very closely and comparing to state trends due to recent legislation
3
57
29
988
1,446
528
17